Find out how popular the first name Jocilyn has been for the last 39 years (from 1980 to 2018) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Jocilyn by gender

Based on the last 39 years of data, Jocilyn is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2018, there were 9 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Jocilyn.

The history of the first name Jocilyn

The given name Jocilyn is a relatively modern variant of the more traditional feminine name Jocelyn. The name Jocelyn originated from the Old French name Gaucelin, which derived from the Germanic name Gauzelin, composed of the elements "gawiz" meaning "bright" and the diminutive suffix "-lin." The earliest recorded use of the name dates back to the 12th century in France.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name Jocelyn was Jocelyn de Brakelond, an English chronicler who lived from around 1150 to 1215. He is best known for his chronicle, which provides a detailed account of the daily life and affairs of the Benedictine monastery at Bury St. Edmunds in Suffolk, England, during the late 12th century.

Another notable figure with the name Jocelyn was Jocelyn de Furness, an English Cistercian monk and theologian who lived from around 1175 to 1244. He served as the abbot of the Furness Abbey in Cumbria and wrote several works on theology and spirituality, including the influential treatise "De Vita Solitaria" (On the Solitary Life).

In the 13th century, Jocelyn de Welles, an English nobleman and landowner, was a prominent figure in the court of King Henry III. He held various positions of authority and participated in several military campaigns during the Barons' War in the mid-13th century.

During the Renaissance period, Jocelyn Geddes (1542-1619) was a Scottish scholar and theologian who served as the rector of the University of Paris. He was renowned for his expertise in Greek and Hebrew literature and contributed to the translation of the Geneva Bible.

In more recent times, Jocelyn Elders (born 1933) is an American physician and public health advocate who served as the Surgeon General of the United States from 1993 to 1994. She was known for her outspoken views on controversial issues such as drug legalization and sex education, which ultimately led to her resignation from the post.

While the name Jocilyn is a relatively modern spelling variation, it shares the same linguistic roots and historical significance as the traditional name Jocelyn. The name continues to be used today, although its popularity has fluctuated over time.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Jocilyn was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Jocilyn, please contact us.

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